California Heights

Adopt A Street Lamp

Oct 07, 1999

As you drive or stroll through our neighborhood, do you ever notice our street lamps? Upon closer study, you will see that we have a bit if variation from lamp to lamp. Some of them are intact from their original installation, some are missing some or all of the original parts and some are contemporary, cast concrete. The California Heights Neighborhood Association wants to change this. Committee members are in the process of researching a refurbishment project for our street lamps.
Our neighborhood is on schedule to have our lamps repainted. We have tracked down the original manufacturer of the lamps, and the original "Westinghouse" style is still available. The original color was a deep cobalt blue. We hope to replace all of the missing filigree rings, struts and finials. We would also like to replace the yellowed acrylic globes with new non-yellowing acrylic or polycarbonate globes. All glass globes still intact will remain. The end result would be beautiful, matching street lamps throughout our neighborhood.
We have the complete support of both the 7th District Council Member Ray Grabinski and the Historical Preservation Officer Ruthann Lehrer, but the big challenge will be financing this project. We are currently taking an inventory of the existing lamps to determine the replacement parts needed and how much this will cost. We have several options to generate the money needed to complete the project. We can apply for a grant for the neighborhood. We can sponsor an ?“Adopt a Street Lamp?” program for the neighborhood. If a comfortable dollar amount is generated from the home tour, a portion can be contributed from the home tour receipts. A combination of these options is also possible.
We will have a fully restored and freshly painted street lamp in front of one of the homes on the California Heights Home Tour. Please support your association by attending the Home Tour and check out the street lamp along the way. We will have a comment box available. If you would like to make a donation to our project, please feel free!
We are very excited about returning our street lamps to their original glory. An added bonus is the prospect of having ?“Historical District?” signage added to our neighborhood. Cal Heights has been selected by the city for a pilot program for signage. Newer retro style street signs including our Cal Heights neighborhood name and historical status could replace the current street-only signs. Our committee is working with the Public Works Department and City Light & Power to coordinate these efforts. We will keep you updated on our progress. If anyone would like to help on the street light project or if you have any suggestions for financing the project, please call Karen Highberger at 562-424-4065.

Article by Karen Highberger